Fishing tool



29- G. M. WILSON ET AL 1,723,225 FISHING TOOL Filed Jan. 12. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l f' fly 1, if? fly. 2 Fl] l m J2 20 HI I 1206/2/02"- ee/ye. 07. 21 2/50 Elmer Z. 2/1/02",

Aug- 6, 1 29- G. M. WILSON- ET AL FISHING TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 12 1927 Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE M. WILSON, OF LOS ANG-ELES, AND ELMER E. PRYOR, OF FULLERTON, CALI- FORNIA, ASSIGNORS TO HAROLD G. GILMAN, 016 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

FISHING TOOL.

Application filed January 1 This invention has to do generally with tools used in recovering articles lost within deep-well bores. These articles range from sections of pipe and drilling tools to implements accidentally dropped by workmen from the derrick floor; and it is the general object of our invention to provide a fishing tool which may be employed successfully and expeditio isly .in grappling for such articles irrespective of their nature, within reasonable limits.

Qur device may be typified. generally as of the class wherein grappling elements are movable substantially radially with respect to the well bore, they being expanded radially in a manner to encompass "the lost articlc, and, after encompassment, being adapted to be contracted. radially and, thereby engage the work with suilicient force to insure its witlnjlrawal from the well. when the tool is lifted subsequently.

Among the prime requisites of asuccesil'ul fishing tool of the above type is the capability of expansion to a considerable diameter, and then, after the tool is in register withv the work of being contracted about and en gaged forcibly with the work. TllGSOClb pacitics our tool has in a surprising degree.

Another important feature of our invention lies in the provision whereby may be opened up without witlulrzm'al of the tool from the well inthe event the fish not caught when the tool is first contracted. In usual fishing tools of an expansible and contraetible nature, should the fish tail "to be caught whenl'ho tool is first contracted, the entire fishing string must be lifted from the well in order that the grappling jaws again may be et in expanded condition. Vhen it is considerml that the round trip necessary to accomplish this withdrawal, resetting, and re-insertion of the fishing tool often requires a period of four or five hours, and then that the whole cycle of operaticm may have to be .repeated. should the tool again il'ai l to catch the fish, it will be seen that our provision for re-setting without withdrawal o l the tool is a most important factor in reducing the costly time element of fishing operations.

lVe have also provided telltale means wherel'iy the operator at the ground surface may be advised whether or not the tool has taken hold of the fish. The great advantage presented by this feature will be readily 2, 1927. Serial No. 160,553.

appreciated 1) those skilled in the art, and therefore neet not be discussed here. It is a feature of special advantage when used in connection with a tool adapted to be re-set within the well, as with ours, but in no way its advantage limited to tools having this particular characteristic. Therefore, our broader claims, drawn to this feature, are not to be considered as limited to such a specific application, except where this limitation definitely set out in the claims.

lV e haye also provided a slip joint connection in the tool whereby, after the tool strikes bottom, or is in position about the fish, the tool may be relieved from the weightof the fishing string, sothe tool parts are more freely movable during subsequent operation and generally raising the elliciency of and reducing the wear on the tool, as will be readily understood. In connection with this last named provision, there is employed a telltale device whereby notice had the instant gravitation of the tool. is checked.

*This feature is of special importance where the-fish may be lying in soft bottom, when, if the string be lowered until it came to rest, after sinking through the bottom, the fish might be entered so far within the tool as to be improperly engaged thereby during subsequent operation, or parts of the tool inightbe broken due to the imposition of the weight of the entire fishing string thereon after the fish had been thus improperly entered. I

Other objects and novel features of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed specifii'tation', reference being had tothe accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1" conventionally illustrates a well bore and our improved. tool .in connection therewith; v

Fig. 1 is an eulz'rrged elevation of an embodiment of our invention shown in expanded position and about to engage work;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the tool in engagement with the work;

Fig. 3 shows a variational employment of the toolwhoroin it is in cocked position;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4l-i of Fin. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section on line of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the grapple arms in closed position; Fig, 7 is asection on line "T -=7 of Fig; 6;

grapple arms;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged section on line l2l2 of Fig. 11, and showing the relative position of the other grapple arms when they are in full contracted position;

Fi 13 is a section on line l313 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. l l is a section on line l41l of Fig. 11.

In Fig l a well bore is conventionally illustrated at 10, there being shown a los" article or fish 11 at the well bottom 12. fishing string is indicated gene ally at 13, this string including the fishing tool indicated generally at 1 suspended by a usual tubular drill pipe or stem 15 which, in turn, is suspended in the usual manner from hoisting tackle 16 through the medium of circulating head 17. The sludge pump conventionally indicated at 18 has usual hose connection 19 with head 17, and is adapted to circulate flushing, mud-laden fluid through the stem 15 and tool 14 in the usual manner and for the purposes well known to those skilled in the art.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be seen I have provided a central mandrel 20 and a barrel A which includes a mandrelsurrounding sleeve 21. The mandrel and sleeve are capable both of limited relative longitudinal movement and of relative rotation, the mandrel 20 having a cylindrical head 22 which engages sleeve shoulder 23 to limit the relative separative longitudinal movement of the sleeve and .nandrel. The extent of relative collapsing longitudinal movement of the sleeve and mandrel is determined by the engagement of the mamlrel-carried nut 24 with a shoulder 25 of sleeve 21, the nut and shoulder hereina' tor being more definitely established with, regard to their respective supporting members.

As will be made apparent later, the sleeve and mandrel are caused to move in a telescopic manner by virtue of threaded engagement therebetween, the sleeve having a lower nut portion 26. Packing rings 27 and 28, carried by sleeve 21 and mandrel head 22, respectively, prevent the entry of fluid to the upper part 29 (Fig. 6) of sleeve bore 29 when the tool is in the contracted or operative position of Fig. 6.

Preferably, though not necessarily, mandrel 20 has init a, slip-joint generally designated at 30, this joint being made up of shank 31 carrying usual coupling element 32, whereby connection is made with stem 15, and the upper cylinder portion 33.

Shank 31 is held against rotation with respect to cylinder 33 in any suitable manner;

Ior instance, the shank between element 32 and cylindrical head ma be of polygonal crosssection 7) fitting in a compleinentarily formed Way The extent of telescopic movement between cylinder 33 and shank 01 is limited in one direction by the engagement of coupling shoulder with the end 37 of the cylinder, and in the other direction by the engag ment or head shoulder 3? with the annular, inner shoulder 38 on the cylinder.

For a purpose that will hereinafter be made clear, there is preferably a telescopic or slip-joint connection 39 between shank 31 and the body portion 40 of the mandrel, this joint functioning as a' valve to control the passage of circulating fluid through the string and. being made up of apipe section 41, carried by and coaxial with the shank and headed at its lower end 42, and a .leeve adapted to overlap or telescope with pipe all. Sleeve 43 is threadably secured to and coaxial with the body portion 40 of the mandrel. Eipe e1 has ports which, wl e shoulders 37 and 38 are in engagement, re ister with ports $5 in sleeve 40. Sleeve also has ports 16 which are spaced longitudinally from ports l5. Thus, when the shank and mandrel cylinder are in the position of Fig. 5, circulating fluid from the stem bore is adapted to pass through shank bore 47, pipe 41, ports 45, cylinder bore 39, ports 46, sleeve 43, and into bore d3 of the mandrel body.

Depending from and preferably integral with the body portion 40 of the mandrel is a tubular spindle 49, said spindle being coaxial with the body portion and having its bore a continuation of bore Q 3. A downwardly pointing wedge member or spreadercam 50 is mounted for rotation on the upper portion of spindle l9, this member pretcrab y having the characteristics of a cone. The case 51 thereof engages the thrust bearing which is shouldered against the downw rdly facing end of body portion a0. There preferably is also a sizable packing ring 54 entered between the cone base and shoulder 53, said packing aiding packing 23 in preventing entry of fluid to bore 29 from beneath.

J am nuts and 2d are threaded on spindle if) at 56 to hold wedge 50 from longitudinal separa..ive n'iovenicnt with respect to the spindle. Thus, while the wedge lcld against longitudinal displacement with respect to the mandrel, it is *apable of free ro tation with respect there-to, especially in view of bearing 52.

The lower extremity of spindle 19 carries heavy threads 57, said threaded extremity being in operative engagement with the nut portion of sleeve 2i. 'll is nut portion preferably, though not necessarily, may be made up in the form of a separable clement, threadably connected with sleeve 2i at 58. However, hereinafter it will be considered that the sleeve and nut portion go together to make up the barrel generally designated at A. I

But portion 26 may be coi sidered as made up ot a cylindrical piece having a plurality oi ion zitudinaliy extending arm Ways 59 which are 'adially spaced from central bore (30, there being an internally threaded hushingr (Sl littcd tightly within bore 60 and having threaded engagement with spindle at) at 57. There is a way 55) i n'ovided tor each oi? the grapple or gr: b arms '2, the arms being provided in any d esired Iuimber. For general purpons, tour oqui-spaccd arms (F in 9) are suitable, but these arms prete 'ahly are detachably held to the barrel so one or more of then'i may be removed when certain fishing ope 'ations are to be carried out. A convenient and ell'eetive manner of detachably connecting the arms to the liar-- rcl is illustrated, this means comprising heavy retention screws 63 which extend ways 59 and into threaded connection Cilvith the nut portion adjacent bushing- 61. Arms 62 have transverse apertures to take these screws with clearance, the arms preferably being relieved about the apertures at both the inner and outer faces 66 and 67, so, said arms have, in ellect, pivotal portions 68 which extend above screws 63,

may he cmisiorreil as 3am portions ot said arms, for they have noses adapted. to en- ;nuye the (tone or \vmlg e 50. Arms 2 are made of durable, wear-resisting male'ial, and prelerably have such spring or resilient characteristics as will allow their l'lexure under consideralile load, and yet insure their return to normal position when relieved from such load. The general suape ol'lhe arms and the particular cliaractcristies'of their lower ends depend upon the particular lishinp; operation to be undertal zen. Howanswers most general purposes, and there- )iG may be considered as the preferred )ri'n. Thus, in F in", 11 arm 62 is shown as it rectangular cross-section (Fig. let) throughout that portion uninodiately below Join the peripheral lace oil the ha rel. across the circulating); lluid to the well bore.

ever, we have here shown a formation which aperture (55, and of arcuate cru ts-section (Fig. from that portion to tip 69. The arms throughouttheir arcuate portion preferably are relieved at 70, this relief gradually increasing as the tip is approached, so, at the tip, the several arms may be radially contracted to the position of Fig. 12, where it-will be soon they deiine a relatively small work-taking apert'u're Tl. Tips (39 preferably have upwardly facing; teeth 72 on their inner arcuate laces, and side teeth 73 on their edges.

lVhen the tool is in the e; .;panded condition of Fig. 5 noses (3S) engage the smaller end of cone 50, lacing held in such QIIIRQLB- ment by springs T l, which exert a radially expansive force on said arms below scrmvs u. The inountin of the springs and the nature thereof are not l'imitative on the invention, considered in its broader aspects, for tney may be varied to a coi'isidc'rahle t. c grce and still lie within the spirit and s of our invention and our reader claims. However, we have nere shown a )arti(;-ularly cltcciivc arrangrcinent which works in well with other structural features, and there lore theshowi here made may he considered p" -erred. Swings Tel iii-ray he considered how or a uate springs, their upper ends being secured to larrel A by attachment t pins 75 carried by spaced lugs 76 which depend from not portion 26. The lower extremities of the springs are secured to a sliding;- ring or rider 77 (Fig. 10) which is mounted for movement longitiulinally along; stem 78, the latter depending from and being secured to the :ap end 79 of bushing (ii. In the prose it instance, though this is not necessary to the invention, considered in certain aspe ,:ts, stem 73 is tubular, there lacing a pipe section 80 held to the end oli spii'idle 419 and extending into the upper end ,i This pipe section 80 provides 01 stein 78. p a shpqomt connection between spindle ll) and stem 78 so circulating water from bore 5O is adapted to pass through said pipe sec tion dirt 'tly to stem 78, tl e lower end of the latter being oynened to allow the pails/051e of This lastmanuul slip imnt connection prevents the entry of circulatiiug fluid to the bore ol bushing 61., which entry would have damaging effect on the bushing and s iiudle threiuls,

l I particularly since said thud ordinar ly is mud-hulen.

Packing Slmay be employed between stem 78 and cap -70 to insure a fluid-tight. lit between pi e 80 and the stem.

It will be seen that while springs 74 are adapted normally to hold arms (32 in radially expanded condition, when relative rotation is set up between barrel A and mandrel 20, wedge 50 enters between cam noses (39 in a manner to spread the upper portions of the grapple arms and to swing the lover por- Ill) tions oi the arms 'adially inward in a manner to contract the grapple portion of the tool against the action of springs 74, said springs then flattening out as shown in Fig. 6, while the rider '7'? slides downwardly along stem 78. Due to the rotational mounting of the edge on spindle 49, said wedge may remain stationary as regards rotation with respect to the arms, it following that the wedge is merely driven downwardly between said arms without rotating there-beneath.

As a special feature, we provide in pipe or stem TS a tell-tale valve 82 (Fig. 8). We will describe this prei'e red type of valve in some detail, though it will be understood our invention, considered in its broader aspeels, is not limited to the specified particu larities. The valve body 83 is of any usual construction, having a seat S-l and a stopper S5 movable to and from said seat. Stopper 85 carried by a telescopic, adjustable stem 86, said stem being made up of a tube portion 8? adapted to slide longitudinally through the axial bore 88 of cap 89. The ellective length of sten S6 is varied by movement of head 90 longitudinally with respect to sleeve 87, the head being threaded into said sleeve for this purpose in the manner clearly shown. Preferably, connection is made between head 85 and sleeve 87 through a shank 91 which has an enlarged extremity 92 adapted to slide through the bore of the sleeve, there being an internal annular shoulder 93 on the sleeve to limit telescopic eX pansive movement between the sleeve and head 92. An expansive spring or acts between head 92 and a nut 95 threaded in the sleeve bore in a manner normally and yieldingly to hold the stopper and sleeve in full expanded condition.

In Fig. 8 the valve is shown in the condition to which it is put by forcible pressure on the uoper end of head 90, a condition which is true in Fig. 6. However, when the particular arm 62 which overlies this stem thrown by its spring to a radially expanded positionfthere is no downward pressure on head 90, and spring 9% is therefore to project stopper head 85 to its limit. When the valve stem is not confined to the position of Fl 8, the downward flow of circulating water forces stopper 85 from its seat to open the valve and the fluid pressure maintains the vaive in open condition until the app ication of external force to head 90. The length of the stem is then adjusted to be such that it will be contacted by one of the sprii'igs T4 or its overlying arm 62 in the event said arms are radially contracted to an extent less than that to which they would be contracted should the arms take hold ot a lish of given over-all size, the characteristics of the fish normally being known by the operator. in other words, the grabbing elements 62 are movable to and past work-grabhing position, but it they be moved past this position, the valve stem is depressed by virtue or this movement and the valve is closed. The purpose of this arrangement may be discussed to better advantage in connection with the following description of a typical operation.

Assuming now that the character of the 4: 7- v hsh' be known to the driller, valve 52- is set in the manner described above, and springs 74- are allowed to expand the grapple arms radiallyv a desired distance by backing wedge 50 from between noses 69 a predetermined distance, this backing-out being accomplished by relatively rotating barrel A and mandrel 20, The tool is then lowered into the well, shank 31 and cylinder being telescopically extended, and circulation bei maintained through pipe ll, ports all, 45, the bore of cylinder ports 45, bore 50, pipe 80, pipe 78, and valve 82; the section of pipe 78 at the lower end of the valve being open to the well bore.

As the arms pass downwardly by the fish 11 and sink into bottom 12, downward movement of barrel A is checked, while the weight of the fishing .jiring moves shank 51 clownwardly with respect tocylinder The consequent downward movementof pipe all with respect to sleeve 43 carries ports 44 out of register with ports a5, and consequently circulation is cut oil and the slowing down of pump 18 advises the driller that his tool is bottomed. The driller consequently ceases lowering away and preferably, though not necessarily, immediately backs up the string suiliciently to re-register ports 45, ll, at least in part, so circulation is again established.

lhe grapple arms or barrel engage the fish, the walls of the well bore or bottom 12 in such a manner that saidarms and barrel A are held from subsequent rotation, and consequently, when the stem 15 is rotated by the usual rotary table '1 in the proper direction, mandrel is rotated with respect to barrel A, and said mandrel with its wedge is moved downwardly, due to the th eaded engagement of spindle lf) with bushing 61. The wedge then separates the upper extents of arms 62 in a manner to swing them pivotally about screws 63 and move tips 69 into forcible engagement with the fish. During this movement, of course, stem 15 may be gradually lowered to compensate for the downward movement of the mandrel. It will be noted that due to the spacing of shoulders 36, 37, the weight or string 15 does not rest on the mandrel, and consequently the threaded connection between the mandrel and barrel is not over-strained and the tool is generally rendered most easily operable. Furthermore, in the event the fish must'be unthreaded rrom an underlying part by rotatiton thereof subsequent to the take-hold operation, the fish and the barrel may move upw rdly'during the unthreading, without being resisted by the down-hearing force of stem 15. If the wedge be moved downwardly after the work is engaged the spring of arms 74 allows them to bend. or flex in the manner shown in Fig. However, when the fish is subse quently released from the tool, the arms spring back to normal.

It the fish be properly engaged, arms '74; will not have moved inwardly a sufficient dis tanre to depress valve stem 86, and circulation thus maintained. However, should the arms miss the fish or slip therepast, inward. movement of said arms past the predetermined work-grabbing position brings one of the springs 74. into forcible engagement with stem head 90 and moves stopper to close valve 82, spring O l yielding after the closing movement in order that the stem or valve may not fail through overstrain. This closing of the vi lve innnediately shuts oil circulation, or at least reduces it, slowing down pump 18 and thereby advising the driller that the tool has not taken hold. On the other hand, if circulation continues after the mandrel has been revolved sufficiently to engage the fish forcibly, it is an indication to the driller that the fish has been properly engaged. or grabbed. In contradistinction to the usual necessity for withdrawing thetool entirely from the hole for resetting, should the circulation checking show the fish be not engaged properly, the operator merely lifts and rotates the drill stein in the opposite direction, to withdraw wedge 50 from between arms 62, said arms or barrel A still being held from rotation by engagement with the bore wall, fish or other extraneous objects within the bore to secure the necessary threaded movement. Springs i l then are free to re-expand the tool, circulation being re-established since stopper 85 may then be lifted to open position by the fluid pressure. The tool is then once more dropped over the fish. and another attempt made to grab it bymoving wedge 50 downwardly.

So far as we are aware, there has never before been provided ineans whereby the operator advised of the condition of his tool when within the well, and consequently it is acounnon occurrence to pull the tool from the well thinking the fish has been caught, only to find the operation was unsuccessful, compelling a complete roundtrip "in order to make another attempt to pick up the lost article.

In Figs. 3 and 4; we have shown a use of the tool in connection with a cable drilling system where no meansis available for'turning the mandrel effectively once the tool is below the ground surface. In Fig. 3, cable C substituted for stem 15, and the device is cocked before it is lowered into the well bore. This cooking is accomplished by placing a spreader S between arms 62 near their lower ends and while said tool is in the condition of Fig. 5. Spreader S is of a diameter to insure that the arms are spread su'lliciently to embrace the given fish 11". Mandrel. 20 is then rotated in a manner to spread the upper ends of arm 62, this action s n-inging the lower extents of said arm as shown. in Fig. 3. Then when the tool is lowered through the well bore and, the spreader struck by fish 11, said spreader is either broken, bent or canted in a manner to release the arms, which thereupon promptly spring inwardly in a manner tightly to engage the fish. Prelierably, spreader S is made of relatively frangible material, and make be weakened as at S. For instance, the spreader say be made of perforated stove plate, which is perfectly capable of lmlding the arm spread, but is fractured by a relatively light blow.

It will beundcrstood the drawings and description are to be considered merely as illust asive of and not restrictive on the broader claims appended hereto, for various changes in design, structure and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of said claims.

lVe claim:

1. In combination, a fishing tool adapted to be lowered from the ground surface into a well bore and embodying a grabbing or. ment movable, when within the here, into and past a predetermined work-grabbing position, and means adapted to give indication at the surface when the element has moved past work-grabbing position.

2. In combination, a fishing tool adapted to be lowered from the ground surface into a well here and embodying a. grapple arm movable, when within the bore, into and past a predetermined work-grabbing position, and means operable by virtue of armn'iovement adapted to give indication at the surface when the element has moved past work-grabbing position. i

3. In combination, a fishing tool adapted to be lowered from the ground surface into a well here and including a movable grapple arm, a fluid. pressure line from the ground surface to the tool, and a valve iufthe pressure line adapted to be actuated by virtue. of aria-movement.

4. In combination, a fishing tool adapted to be lowered from the ground surface into a well here and including a u'iovable workgrabbing element, a fluid PICSSI'II'Q line from the ground surface to the tool, and a normally open valve ,in the pressru'e line adapted to be closedby virtue of olementn1ovement. I I

5. In combination, a fishing tool adapted to be lowered from the ground surface into a well bore and including a movable grapple arm, a. fluid pressure line from the ground surface to the tool, and a valve in the pressure line adapted to be actuated by virtue of arnrmovement, said valve being adjustable to vary the timing of its actuation under the influence of given elementanovement.

6. In a device of the character described,

7 a pair of members capable of relative rotation and of limited relative longitudinal movement, a threaded connection between the members whereby relative rotation thereof moves them relatively longitudinally, a grapple arm pivotally mounted on one of the members, a cam element on the other member, said cam being adapted to engage the arm in a manner to swing it pivotally in one direction when the members are moved relatively in given directions, and a spring adapted to swing the arm in the opposite direction when the members are moved relatively in opposite directions.

7. In a device of the character described, a pair of members capable of relative rotation and of limited relative longitudinal movement, a threaded connection between the members whereby relative rotation thereof moves them relatively longitudinally, a grapple arm pivotally mounted on one of the members, and a wedge element mounted for rotation on the other element and adapted to engage the arm in a manner to swing it pivotally in one direction when the members are moved relatively in given eirections. 7 r

8. In a device of the character described, a pair of members capable of relative rota- .tion and of limited relative longitudinal movement, a threaded connection between the members whereby relative rotation thereof moves them relatively longitudinally, a grapple arm pivotally mounted on one of the members, a cam element on the other member, said cam being adapted to engage the arm in a manner to swing it pivotally in one direction when the members are moved relatively in given directions, and a spring acting between said arm and said other member adapted to swing the arm in the opposite direction when the members are moved relatively in opposite directions.

9. In a device of the character described, a mandrel and a barrel arranged for relative movement, a pair of substantially diametrically opposed grapple arms mounted for pivotal movement on the barrel and depending below the mandrel, said arms being pivotally movable through axial planes of the barrel, -a stem extending from the mandrel downwardly between the arms and adapted to limit their pivotal movement in given directions, and coacting means on the mandrel and barrel adapted to move the arms pivotally in said given directions when the mandrel and barrel are moved relatively in given oirections.

V 10. In a device of the character described, a mandrel and a barrel arranged for relative movement, a pair of substantially diametrically opposed grapple arms mounted for pivotal movement on the barrel and depending below the mandrel, said arms being pivotally movable through axial planes of the barrel, stem extending from the mandrel downwardly between the arms and adapted to limit their pivotal movement in given directions, coacting means on the mandrel and barrel adapted to move the arms pivotally in said given directions when the mandrel and barrel are moved relatively in given directions, and springs interposed between the stem and arms and adapted yieldingly to resist such pivotal movement.

11. In a device of the character described, a mandrel and a barrel arranged for relative movement, a pair of substantially diametrically opposed grapple arms mountec for pivotal movement on the barrel and depending below the mandrel, said arms being pivotally movable through aXial planes of the barrel, a stem extending from the mandrel downwardly between the arms and adapted to limit their pivotal movement in given directions, coacting-means on the mandrel and barrel adapted to move the arms pivotally in said given directions when the mandrel and barrel are moved relatively in given directions, and a rider adapted to slide longitudinally along the stem, and springs interposed between the stem and arms and adapted yieldingly to resist such pivotal movement; each spring being'secured at one end to the barrel and at the other end to the rider.

12. In a device of the character described, a mandrel and a barrel arranged for relative movement and having intercommunicating bores, a grapple arm depending from the barrel to a point below the mandrel, a tubular stem depending from the mandrel alongside the arm, said arm being movable toward and away from the stem by virtue of relative movement of the barrel and mandrel, and the bore of the stem being in communication with the mandrel bore; and a normally open valve in the stem and adapted to be actuated to close the bore thereof, said valve being actuated by virtue of movement of the arm toward the stem.

18. In a device of the character described, a barrel, a nut supported by said barrel, a mandrel movable longitudinally and rotationally within the barrel bore, said mandrel having a portion threaded into said nut whereby relative rotation of the barrel and mandrel sets up relative longitudinal n10vement between the mandrel and barrel, a grapple arm supported by said nut for pivotal movement, and means whereby said arm is swung pivotally by virtue of said relative longitudinal movement.

14. In a device of the character described, a barrel, a nut supported by said barrel, a mandrel. movable longitudinally and rotationrrlly within the barrel bore sai d mandrel havin a portion threaded into said nut cam element on said mandrel, said cam being adapted by virtue of said relative longitudinal i'noven'ient, to engage said arm near one end of said nut in a manner to swing it pivotally.

15. In combination, a string embodying a tubular drill stem and a tool carried by said stem, said stein being adapted to deliver circulating fluid to the tool, a slip joint inthe string allowing limited relative longitudinal movement of the portions of the string at opposite sides of the joint, and a valve in the string for controlling the passage of circulating fluid through the string, said valve being operated by virtue of said relative movement.

16. In combination, a string embodying a tubular drill stem and a tool carried by said stem, said stem being adapted to deliver circulating :tluid to the tool, a slip joint in the string allowing limited relative longitudinal. movement of the portions of the string at opposite sides of the joint, and a valve in the string for controlling the passage of circu- .lating fluid tl'irough the string, said valve be ing operated by virtue of said rela tive movement, said valveembodying a ported, telescopic connecti on between said portions.

In Witness that We claim the foregoing We have hereunto subscribed our names this 27th day oit' December, 1926.

' GEORGE M. \VILSON.

ELMIER F. PRYOR.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,723,225. Granted August 6, 1929, to

GEORGE M. WILSON ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 6. lines 6 and 7, claim 5, for the compound Word "element-movement" read "arm-movement"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of October, A. D. 1929.

M. J. Moore, (S l) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

